Climate and Air Pollution

Although the United States is one of largest contributors to global warming, it appears that we were late in the game for initiating changes towards energy efficiency. By 2015 however, there have made substantial gains in modernizing power plants, reducing dependency on foreign oil, fuel economy standards, and doubling wind, solar, and geothermal energy. (The White House, 2015) Surprisingly though it was Japan, Europe, and Germany, who put forth the initial effort in energy efficiency and now it is time for the U.S. to do the same. (Turk and Bensel, 2014)

Beginning in the early 1990’s, talks of global warming spawned immediate reaction from developing countries but failed to ignite the U.S. Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches. “The approach taken by the United States, until the election of President Obama was largely one of debate with little policy development.” (Brinkmann and Garren, 2011) With Obama’s term coming to an end I can only hope that the president elect acknowledges global warming exists and if so, making efficiency retrofits a mandatory and viable solution, not an elective one. Although the Kyoto Protocol puts into place an international treaty for highly developed nations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, (Turk and Bensel, 2014) China and the U.S. must lead by example through joint discussions in reducing carbon pollution. The White House website says that; “The President has taken action to tackle climate change and protect our environment” but with the smog density over Shanghai and the destruction of biodiversity over the Three Gorges Dam, only time will tell.

Energy efficiency begins at a grassroots level and puts the responsibility in our hands instead of waiting for our government to enact legislation. Tax incentives must be offered just as they are with farmers and their pilfering of water. While the EPA is responsible for enforcing environmental statutes and regulations (EPA, 2015) it is up to us to educate ourselves about reducing our carbon footprint. This is not a federalism issue where we the people wait for the government and the states to engage in bipartisan talks. We the people of the United States created this crisis therefore we should implement our own energy efficiency policies or prepare to suffer the consequences of our own actions.

International March for Elephants, Washington, D.C. Jim Justus Nyamu leads hundreds of supporters to the White House with one message, “Ivory Belongs to Elephants”. Photo Credit: Christina LaMonica Imagery

Christina LaMonica in Times Square for the US Fish and Widlife Services; Ivory Crush in June, 2015.

New York Ivory Crush in Times Square, June, 2015. Mr. Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare – IFAW with Christina LaMonica.

Director Jimmiel J. Mandima of the African Wildlife Foundation and Christina LaMonica in Times Square. for the second Ivory Crush on American soil in U.S. history.

Cynthia Newlin O’Connor (center) and Christina LaMonica, in Times Square for the US Fish and WIldlife Services; Ivory Crush

Cynthia Newlin O’Connor (center) and Christina LaMonica, in Times Square for the US Fish and Wildlife Services; Ivory Crush. Cynthia’s testimony led to the enactment of legislation in New York banning the sale of Ivory and Rhino horn products. She also was responsible for the second Ivory crush in U.S. history on American soil in New York City.

Melissa Sciaccao, Director of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Ivrine, California, and Christina LaMonica at the New York Ivory Crush in Times Square, June, 2015.

Ivory Crush Reception at Tavern on the Green in New York City. Food Critic, Chef, and Television Host; Katie Lee of the Food Network and Christina LaMonica.

Ms. Iris Ho; Wildlife Campaign Manager, Humane Society International and Christina LaMonica, at the Ivory Crush Reception at Tavern on the Green in New York City.

Braves singer; Jericho and Christina LaMonica, at Tavern on the Green in New York City for the Humane Society United States Reception.

Ivory Crush Reception at Tavern on the Green in New York City, with Ms. Heidi Osterman; District Leader Volunteer with the Humane Society United States and Christina LaMonica.

Lincoln Memorial for the Third Annual International March for Elephants. Photo Courtesy of Roger Thomas

Supporting New Jersey Legislation sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergenfield) Under the new ban, it will become illegal in the Garden State to import or sell “trophies” from any species or subspecies of elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, pangolin, marine turtle, or ray listed in Appendix I or Appendix II of CITES (an international treaty governing trade in endangered, threatened, and vulnerable species worldwide). – Elephants DC